Another “foundational” practice is reading through A Praying Life by Paul Miller.

I have always struggled with prayer, but it wasn’t until the life-threatening heart attack of a dear family friend that I realized how much I needed to learn how to pray. So this is another part of my personal curriculum for the year.

Leadership development is important for me too, so I am getting ready to dig into Michael Hyatt’s new book, Free to Focus. Self-help gets a lot of eye rolls nowadays from Christians, but if we know how to do it, why aren’t we? I know I need help, so I read them. With some discernment, I look forward to improving the way I see and live life.

I also enjoy learning via podcasts. Here too, I have a “curriculum” and I basically listen to whatever my mind and soul needs at the moment. Yesterday, I listened to a bunch of AfterCast podcasts in preparation for my homeschooling workshop on Saturday.

Lastly, for fun, I plan to tackle Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. I’ve never read it before, but watching the PBS version of it recently has made me want to try it. This one is probably going to take me a few quarters to get through, but I hope that by immersing myself in this story, coupled with the literary analysis skills I am cultivating, I will receive a real education in humanity.

Though these are different topics, I am always amazed at how they connect—creating even deeper understanding and insight that helps me to apply what I learn.